Senior Embedded Hardware Design Engineer

Nuve Controls LLC builds next-generation connected smart thermostats and IoT products, and this role is central to taking hardware from early architecture through high-volume manufacturing. You will work in a small, fast-moving engineering team with significant technical ownership, helping deliver designs that scale to thousands of homes. The position is full-time with a flexible work environment and a hybrid schedule in Tustin, CA.

Compensation: USD 165,000 - 180,000 per year plus performance bonus. You will also be eligible for health, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, and a 401(k).

What you’ll build

You will lead the electrical design and development of Linux-based smart thermostat and IoT platforms, including advanced sensing and cloud connectivity, with integration of mobile applications and machine-learning driven HVAC controls. The team’s products are deployed in thousands of homes and continue to scale rapidly, so your design decisions will directly influence cost, reliability, and manufacturability.

Responsibilities

• Design high-speed multilayer printed circuit boards for Embedded Linux systems
• Develop complete hardware architectures for smart thermostats and IoT devices
• Create schematics using Altium Designer (preferred) or equivalent PCB CAD software
• Review PCB layouts with focus on: signal integrity, power integrity, EMI/EMC, thermal management, and manufacturability (DFM/DFA)
• Select and qualify electronic components based on cost, availability, and long-term production
• Design low-voltage power supplies, battery backup circuits, power sequencing, and protection circuitry
• Design and integrate interfaces including: Ethernet, USB, UART, SPI, I2C, CAN, SDIO, and PCIe (preferred)
• Integrate wireless technologies including: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy, Zigbee, Thread, and Matter (preferred)
• Work directly with Embedded Linux engineers during broad bring-up
• Debug hardware using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, spectrum analyzers, and thermal cameras
• Support BSP and bootloader development with firmware engineers
• Read and interpret processor datasheets and reference designs
• Develop hardware validation procedures and manufacturing test plans
• Support FCC, UL, CE, and ENERGY STAR certifications
• Collaborate with overseas contract manufacturers through EVT, DVT, PVT, and mass production
• Analyze field failures and perform root cause investigations
• Drive design improvements for cost reduction, reliability, and manufacturability

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering
• 7+ years of embedded hardware design experience
• Extensive experience designing multilayer PCBAs
• Strong understanding of ARM-based embedded systems
• Experience with Embedded Linux hardware platforms
• Proficiency with Altium Designer or equivalent ECAD software (Cadence Allegro, OrCAD, Mentor Xpedition)
• Strong knowledge of: DDR memory interfaces, eMMC, SPI Flash, PMICs, power sequencing, and clock generation
• Strong knowledge of high-speed digital design
• Experience with wireless module integration and low-level hardware debugging
• Experience working with firmware teams during board bring-up
• Understanding of hardware/software interaction at the register level
• Experience supporting manufacturing and production testing
• Strong documentation and communication skills

Technologies you’ll use

Linux, Embedded Linux, Altium Designer, Cadence Allegro, OrCAD, Mentor Xpedition, ARM, DDR memory interfaces, eMMC, SPI Flash, PMICs, UART, SPI, I2C, CAN, SDIO, PCIe, Ethernet, USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy, Zigbee, Thread, Matter, BSP, and bootloader. Certifications include FCC, UL, CE, and ENERGY STAR.

Work location: Hybrid remote in Tustin, CA 92782 (hybrid / on-site). Job type: Full-time.